Six candidates battle for four at-large seats in Leominster

LEOMINSTER -- There are six candidates for four available at-large seats on the City Council at Tuesday's election.

John Dombrowski, James Lanciani Jr. and Claire Freda are the incumbents.

Robert Salvatelli has served as a Ward 4 councilor for 14 years but is surrendering his seat to make an at-large bid.

Charles Milhans and Steven Cote are making first-time runs for seats at the table.

Polls will be open in the city's five wards 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

City Council at-large (choose 4)

Charles A. Milhans

Age: 62

Address: Rose Avenue

Education: Wilson High School, Tacoma, Wash.; bachelor of science in computer science, UMass Lowell; master's of business administration, Western New England University

Family: Wife Eunju, three grown children

Occupation: Project manager for San Jose, Calif.-based Brocade

Military experience: 20-year Army career in military intelligence

Political experience: Campaign worker for Sheriff Lew Evangelides

Last book read: "Killing Jesus," by Bill O'Reilly

Top three goals if elected: Advocate a new police station; improve cooperation between the council and mayor's office; maintain financial stability of the city.

Why are you running: "I've managed big projects in the scores of millions of dollars and I also would like to see what I can do to bring more civility to the council, no matter who the mayor is.

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John Dombrowski

Age: 47

Address: 6 Grove Ave

Education: Nashoba Regional High School, 1983; Bentley University, bachelor's degree in economics; law degree Boston University School of Law

Family: Two children, 16-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl

Occupation: Attorney, general practice

Military experience: None

Political experience: 10 years on council at-large since 2003; City Council president, 2011-12

Last book read: "A Flame of Pure Fire: Jack Dempsey and the Roaring '20s," by Roger Kahn

Top three goals if re-elected: Get a detailed and functioning capital-improvement plan to eliminate waste and inefficiency in city government; advocate for a cohesive technology plan; develop a comprehensive plan to systematically start repairing roadways

Why are you running: "I run so that I can make a positive difference. It's important to me because you only live once and while you are here you should make it count."

Top three goals if elected: Improve cooperation between the mayor's office and city council; further support constituency services; business development

Why are you running: "I'm running because I love the city of Leominster, I believe I have the reputation of being a people person and I enjoy helping people. I've expressed my concern to help people. That's what I intend to do, to continue to help the people of Leominster to get what they deserve."

Claire M. Freda

Age: 65

Address: 117 Debbie Drive, Leominster

Education: St. Bernard High School

Family: Three grown children, widowed

Occupation: Real-estate appraiser and broker

Military experience: Gold Star wife

Political experience: School Committee, Ward 3 city councilor, at-large city councilor

Last book read: "No Place to Hide," by Robert O'Harrow Jr.

Top three goals if re-elected: Advocate for Police and Fire departments, including support for a police station; advocate for education arts and music programs

Why are you running: "I really care a lot for this city and connect with people. I consider myself approachable and on occasion can take two hours to get out of the supermarket because I get so busy talking to people. I'd like to advocate for the arts and music in the schools because they are so often targeted during difficult economic times. I want to work and maintain what we have here in terms of quality of life."

Robert A. Salvatelli

Age: 72

Address: 11 Woodside Ave.

Education: Leominster High School, 1959; University of Bridgeport, 1965, bachelor's degree in education; master's from Fitchburg State University in administration, 1969

Family: Wife Linda; four grown children; eight grandchildren

Occupation: Retired school administrator, former principal JA Elementary for 26 years.

Military experience: National Guard, five years

Political experience: City councilor Ward 4, seven terms; former council president, two years; chair of finance for six years

Last book read: "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption," by Laura Hillenbrand

Top three goals if reelected: Raise discussions about the proposed slots casino on Jungle Road and its impact on the city; advocate for a review of city operations by the state Department of Revenue; advocate for a police station now that Leominster High School and Leominster Public Library are done.

Why are you running: "I actually enjoy politics, the give and take of it. I enjoy working on the city level and helping people. I find this job to be a fascinating learning experience. I couldn't stand this job if I was bored, the fact there is so much time going on all the time. There are so many twists and turns of city government that I find it interesting,"

Steven R. Cote

Age: 18

Address: 45 Mount Pleasant St.

Education: Senior at Leominster High School

Family: Father Bob Cote; grown brother Joseph Dugas

Occupation: Student

Military experience: None

Political experience: Volunteered political campaigns for former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney

Last book read: "Against All Odds: My Life of Hardship, Fast Breaks, and Second Chances," by Scott Brown

Top three goals if elected: Advocate social and recreational programs for low-income families, suspend pay increases for city councilors; work with the Police and Fire departments for improved benefits and working conditions

Why are you running: "I've been into it since I was nine years old. I fell in love with politics. It's time to get more people involved in politics, more young people."

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